The hydraulic platform is also in use, with firefighters using ground monitors and jets.

Andy Witham, incident commander for Cleveland Fire Brigade, told The Gazette: “It has been quite a large fire. The fire began in the warehouse which contained around 70 tonnes of household recycling waste. It is not known yet how the fire started but there is nothing to suggest that it is suspicious.”

Smoke stayed low to the ground and drifted across Dockside Road, and onto the A66 near the roundabout with the A171 this morning.

Fire appliances had to park some way away from the fire on Dockside Road and use extensions to pump water to the blaze.

“We will be on scene for most of the day, at least until this afternoon, because it is still burning,” Mr Witham continued.

“The weather isn’t helping, smoke is staying low to the ground and it is difficult to get in and assess the damage, but it looks like it is severely damaged.

“The waste is tightly packed and will continue to smoulder. There is a tractor unit in there as well, which is also likely to be severely damaged.

“Once the fire has died down, we will try and get a digger in there but it is difficult at the moment. We have made access to the back of the building.”

Cleveland Fire Brigade received the call at around 6.55am on Saturday morning.

Around 16 firefighters were involved in tackling the blaze.

Four fire appliances are on the scene, one each from Middlesbrough and Middlesbrough Marine stations and two from Grangetown.

J&B Recycling provide a range of collection services, for all types of waste including mixed or co-mingled recyclables and general waste from wheelie bins, skips, bulk containers, and pick up of bales in Middlesbrough.